Going International -A Celebration of Culture and Adventure
This past Saturday was one of those grateful days that reminded me how privileged I am to have the opportunity to travel, to live, and to grow. Almost everyone would agree that life does not function all the same staying home versus living abroad. Throughout the four years I have been here in the US, at Vandy, I wonder if I could be a host of my community, not just a very good visitor.
The best part about trying to represent my Nashville community while at the same time being an international student from China is that you could redefine Nashville. The city welcomes you to join her, and this act says something about what she values. The city gladly wears a piece of who you are. Last Saturday morning I went to the Hopkinsville International Fair in Kentucky with the Nashville Chinese Cultural Club. We were invited to perform Chinese dances at the event.
I was super excited for my first field (dance) trip with the group. I have never been to Kentucky, but I heard its blue grass and golden farm demonstrate the essence of tranquility. On a more personal note, it was my opportunity to get to know more about my fellow dancers. We are all amateur dancers interested in dancing
and thought it would be a great way to introduce the Chinese culture through our dances. Most of these dancers are actually doctoral students at Vanderbilt who just came from China, and others are Nashville residents. I was very curious about the lives of these Chinese people, oranyonewhochose to experience a life out of its ordinary. To make a personal decision at such a grand scale, as to come from China to the U.S, they must have calculated their opportunity cost and have believed that the gains of coming abroad outweigh the losses.
The dance group came back to Nashville around 3pm, and then I headed to a rehearsal at the Student Life Center to prepare tonight’s Chinese Moon Festival celebration. I was the MC. Many Chinese American people at the celebration brought the entire families. They chatted, enjoyed the Chinese food, and watched the performances. Traditionally, the theme of the Moon Festival is family reunion, which is rather ironic giving context that many of the audiences were students who were away from home in the longest distance possible on earth.
I admire the students’ courage and determination. One thing we could all agree upon, at least, is that we would willingly and happily walk down the path that we designed for ourselves, because there are spectacular sceneries along the way that others don’t see.